RECIPE

Apricot and Basil Shortbread Tart

***June 2022 HSN Dinner Group winner***

Roy Shvartzapel, pastry chef at Cyrus in Healdsburg, California, layers roasted fresh apricots atop basil custard to make a gorgeous tart. The tender crust is extraordinary: Combining hardboiled egg yolk and potato starch, it's based on a classic dough that he learned from Paris pastry genius Pierre Hermé.
The ideal wine match: Tokaji.
Yields: 6
Total Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Ingredients
For Pastry Cream:
1 c. whole milk
5 tbsp. granulated sugar
1/4 c. packed basil leaves with stems
2 large egg yolks
2 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tbsp. unsalted butter

For Pastry:
1 large hard-boiled egg yolk
1 3/4 stick unsalted butter
1/2 c. confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. potato starch
1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

For Topping:
6 apricots
3 tbsp. granulated sugar
1/3 c. apricot jam

Directions
1. Make the pastry cream: In a saucepan, combine 3/4 cup of the milk with the sugar and basil; bring to a simmer. Remove the milk from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes. Remove the basil and squeeze any milk back into the pan; discard the basil.

2. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup of milk with the yolks and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly whisk the egg yolk mixture into the warm milk; bring to a simmer over moderate heat, whisking constantly until very thick, 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter until melted. Scrape the cream into a bowl. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate until chilled, 2 hours.

3. Make the pastry: Preheat the oven to 375°. Spray a 14-by-4 1/2-inch rectangular tart pan with a removable bottom with nonstick cooking spray. In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the hard-boiled egg yolk with the butter and sugar at medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the flour, potato starch, and salt and beat at low speed until just combined. Using lightly floured hands, press the dough evenly over the bottom and up the side of the tart pan. Refrigerate the crust for 30 minutes, or until chilled.

4. Bake the crust for about 25 minutes, until golden. Transfer the crust to a rack and let stand until cooled, about 1 hour.

5. Make the topping: Increase the oven temperature to 450°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the apricot halves cut side up on the paper and sprinkle all over with the sugar. Roast for about 20 minutes, until the apricots are tender and lightly browned. Let the apricots stand until completely cooled, about 30 minutes.

6. Unmold the crust and transfer it to a serving plate. Using a small offset spatula, spread the cream evenly in the crust.  In a small saucepan, melt apricot jam over medium heat until thin, about two minutes. Cool slightly. Arrange the apricots on the cream, cut sides down, and brush with the melted jam. Cut the tart crosswise into strips and serve at once.